Authority control databases
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
Tripsichord Music Box | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Francisco, California |
| Genres | Psychedelic rock |
| Years active | 1968–1971 |
| Labels | San Francisco Sound, Janus |
| Members | Randy Gordon Frank Straight Dave Zandonatti Oliver McKinney Bill Carr Ron McNeely |
The Tripsichord Music Box was an American psychedelic rock group of the 1960s. They were managed by Matthew Katz, who also worked with Jefferson Airplane, Moby Grape and It's a Beautiful Day.[1] Their loyalty to Katz, at a time when many San Francisco bands were signing recording deals with Los Angeles-based labels, may have contributed to their relatively unknown status today.[citation needed] Led by guitarist and singer/songwriter David Zandonatti, Tripsichord recorded a full-length LP and several singles for Katz's San Francisco Sound label.[1] They were the first San Francisco group to record on 8-track equipment.[1]
Frank Straight (guitar), Tony McGuire (guitar), Oliver McKinney (keyboards) and Randy Guzman (drums), performing as The Ban and based in Lompoc, California, released one 45 RPM single ("Bye-Bye" / "That I'm Hoping") in 1965 on a small label called Brent records.[1] McGuire was drafted into the military, and circa 1966 Zandonatti joined The Ban, originally as a bassist.[1] They then moved to Los Angeles, signed to Jack Berle's Embassy record label, changed their name to The Now, played some Sunset Strip clubs, and released a single on Embassy, "I Want" / "Fly Like a Bird".[1] Soon they moved to San Francisco and signed up to be managed by Matthew Katz, who came up with the name Tripsichord Music Box.[1]
Around 1969, Zandonatti converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), which became an influence on songs he wrote, some of which appeared on the band's LP.[1] Tripsichord's other songwriter, Bill Carr, is Jewish and as Zandonatti was the only committed Mormon in the band, they were never a "Mormon band".[citation needed]
Towards the end of their stay in San Francisco, Ron McNeely joined as vocalist and, when Tripsichord Music Box folded, Zandonatti, Straight and McNeely moved to Utah and formed a band named Free Spirit. Straight departed soon after, leaving Zandonatti and McNeely to get involved in the Sons of Mosiah, more of a troupe than a band.[1]
Next, Zandonatti, Guzman, Dennis MacGregor and Danny Coletti formed Natty Bumppo, which relocated to Los Angeles.[1] Zandonatti stayed with them until 1981/82; he now[when?] lives in Oregon. [1]
Italian re-issue label Akarma later released a 2-LP re-issue of the Tripsichord Music Box LP. The tracks on the four sides are:-
In 2012, Kismet released a CD with the same lineup as the Arkama 2-LP set, and with extensive liner notes.[1]
